From €305 / pers

Discover the volcanic lake by bike or electric bike
Distance
71km
Duration
4 or 3 days
Steps
Stages < 40km - Difficulty 1/5

Bouchet Volcanic Lake by Bike

A short family e-bike trip takes you to an iconic landscape of the Haute-Loire region: Bouchet Volcanic Lake, surrounded by a magnificent forest. A route accessible to all, combining scenic roads and easy trails.

To plan your stay, check out our tips!

What we like A leisurely family ride to a magnificent lake, ideal for swimming and enjoying the summer.

[WEBRESA]

The advantages of your bike tour:

  • You travel independently and follow a specially adapted route.
  • Easy to find your way: you’ll have access to a digital route-guidance app
  • Your accommodation is booked on a half-board basis (except for the last night in Le Puy-en-Velay – for the 4-day trip – which includes overnight stay & breakfast only).
  • Your luggage is delivered to each stage (1 bag max. 13kg / person – Dimensions: length + width + height < 120cm)
  • With extra : For this trip, the bikes provided by the agency come with a “Esprit Serein” commercial warranty – For more information, see the Insurance section.Our travel bikes for this trip
Your journey
Parcours du séjour lac volcanique à vélo - Le Puy-en-Velay

Your route:

  • Elevation gain 920 m – Country roads and trails
  • Family-friendly trail open to all

  • Family ++: In a trailer for younger children and children ages 9-10 and up on an electric bike

  • Self-guided cycling tour, you choose your departure

  • Accommodation: In a private room (B&B, hotel, or alternative accommodations)
  • IMPORTANT: Cycling touring requires good self-management skills: Knowing how to change an inner tube, repositioning a derailed chain, and also good bike handling skills.
  • What climate? See our Frequently Asked Questions

Note: The steps are given for information purposes only and may be modified depending on host availability.

Les rues colorées du Puy-en-Velay
Day 1: Your arrival in Le Puy-en-Velay

A day exploring the town of Le Puy-en-Velay.

An opportunity to discover the Velay city! You'll stroll and discover the upper town of Le Puy-en-Velay by exploring its hidden streets.

Things to see:
> The Cathedral and its Cloister
> Statue of Notre-Dame de France
> Saint-Michel Chapel
> Crozatier Museum
> The narrow streets of the upper town
> The Hôtel-Dieu and its exhibitions
> Bobbin Lacemaking Training Center
> Henry Vinay Garden (Horseshoe Park)

Fraîcheur du lac volcanique du Bouchet
Day 2: Le Puy-en-Velay – Cayres or Le Bouchet-Saint-Nicolas - 35 km - D+860m

After a quick introduction to the bikes, you'll take the Puy-en-Velay greenway, which follows a former railway line. You'll pass through tunnels and a viaduct to reach Cayres, where you'll discover the gem of the Haute-Loire lakes: the volcanic lake of Bouchet.

To discover:
• The engineering structures (viaduct, illuminated tunnels) of the greenway
• The magnificent village of Solignac-sur-Loire and its ruins overlooking the Loire
• The Church of St. Pierre de Cayres (Red Stones)
• Cayres / Le Bouchet-Saint-Nicolas
> The volcanic lake of Bouchet
> The forest ride
> Pedal boat rental

Voyage à vélo avec des enfants
Day 3: Cayres / Le Bouchet-Saint-Nicolas- Le Puy-en-Velay- 36 km - D+160m

From Le Bouchet, follow the Stevenson Trail with the hikers to reach the village of Landos. Now, return to Le Puy via the new greenway that connects to Costaros, then continue to explore the Beaume Waterfall (a 20- to 25-minute walk).

- 4-day stay: Bed and breakfast accommodation.
- 3-day stay: You may choose not to stay in Le Puy-en-Velay; your luggage can be collected from 5:00 PM at our transport partner's location in Le Puy.

To Discover:
• Solignac-sur-Loire
> The Beaume Waterfall, harmoniously blending volcanic rock and tumultuous water.
> The ramparts of Solignac, overlooking the Loire Valley.

La magnifique ville du Puy-en-Velay au crépuscule
Day 4; Le Puy-en-Velay

End of our services after breakfast

Prices include:

  • Accommodation in a double, twin, or multiple-occupancy room
  • Half-board except the final stopover (4-day trip) in Le Puy, booked on a bed-and-breakfast basis
  • Tourist taxes,
  • Luggage transfer between stages (max. 1 bag of 13 kg per person – dimensions: length + width + height < 120 cm
  • Access to the guidance app and travel diary,
  • Access to the navigation and travel log app
  • Route map (one copy per travel group)
  • Telephone support

Extras

  • Electric bike rental or a non-electric bike rental, two rear panniers, a helmet, a light repair kit,
  • Multrisks and cancellation insurance
  • Single supplement

This price does not include

  • Transportation and transfers to the starting point Meals other than those listed in the description
  • Multirisks and annulation insurance
  • Parking Bike rental
  • GPX tracks (we do not provide GPX tracks for our routes – guidance via the app)
  • Drinks, spending money, any visits or activities
  • Generally, anything not listed in the “This price includes” section

Administration fees

  • €12/person if ordered online
  • €15/person via quote

As an optional extra, L’Autre Chemin offers:

You want to rent a bike

  • E-bike rental with two panniers + the commercial guarantee “Sereine Mind” : +€85/bike
  • Standard bike rental with two panniers + the commercial guarantee “Sereine Mind”: +€50/bike
  • Electric mountain bike for children aged 9 to 12 + the commercial guarantee “Esprit Serein” : €75/bike
  • Trailer available for children aged 3 to 6

If you plan to travel with your bike, please ensure certain points: If it is an electric-assisted bike, the battery must have a minimum power of 400 or even 500 watts. Please note: the battery must be removable; if not, please contact us to check availability. It is imperative that your bike is in perfect working order before departure. Remember to have it serviced. Please bring a suitable repair kit and a smartphone mount for the handlebars. Our routes combine small roads and trails; your bike must be a hybrid, mountain bike, or gravel bike with suitable tires. City and road bikes are therefore prohibited. Our trips are more or less sporty, and a basket on the handlebars is to be avoided, as are large city bags. You’ll be riding on trails, and this type of equipment risks destabilizing the bike’s balance.

Any doubts? Contact us.

L’Autre Chemin has developed numerous partnerships with guesthouses and small traditional hotels to offer you the best of Haute-Loire and to ensure that each stopover is an opportunity to discover the architecture, the art of living, the gastronomy, but also a moment of exchange and meeting.

By Train

The town of Le Puy-en-Velay has a train station that takes you right to the city center, close to your first hotel and all the sights and shops. In short, it’s very pleasant to take the train from home to begin your cycling trip to Le Puy. Psst, even if the journey may seem long, when you arrive via Saint-Etienne, the tracks run alongside the wild Loire Valley, a very pleasant sight.

By Car

Le Puy is accessible by road, notably via two main roads: the RN88 from Saint-Etienne/Lyon or Aubenas/Mende, or via the RN102 (Clermont-Ferrand). There are suitable parking lots on site, but we’ll explain everything in your travel guide!

  • Paris: 515km
  • Lyon: 134km
  • Marseille: 300km
  • Toulouse: 350km
  • Montpellier: 250km

Where to park in Le Puy?

  • Breuil underground car park – Place du Breuil  – Closed Sundays and public holidays – 7 days: €60 – Reservations: +33 4 71 02 03 54
  • Le Puy above-ground car parks – Rates: €10/week and €20/month. Subscriptions must be reserved and paid in advance at the Mobilité-en-Velay commercial center. Tel. +33 4 71 02 60 11 (open Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.) – Height limit 2.20 m & length 5.50 m maximum. These car parks are served by a free shuttle or the urban transport network.
    • Bertrand de Doue Parking: Parking without video
    • Estrouilhas Parking: Parking without video 
    • Quincieu Park and Ride Parking: Parking without video 
    • Montredon Park and Ride Parking: Parking without video (free bus service to the city center)
    • Dunant Parking (free bus service to the city center)
  • Train Station Parking: Video-monitored parking – €6 / 24 hours
  • Carmes Parking: Video-monitored parking – €40 / week – Reservation: +33 7 68 10 76 81
  • Foch Parking – 6 avenue du Maréchal Foch – Video surveillance – 7 days: €40 – Reservation: +33 7 68 10 76 81
  • Saint-Jacques Parking (Center served by bus) – 13 bis de Roderie – Aiguilhe – Video surveillance – Reservation: +33 4 44 43 97 43 – 7 days: €35

Prices given for information purposes only, subject to change without notice

Whether you’re looking to book your electric bike trip to the Bouchet Volcanic Lake or have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

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